作者: Kari McClanahan , Frank Rosell , Martin Mayer
DOI: 10.1016/J.ANBEHAV.2020.05.008
关键词:
摘要: Social interactions among individuals play a central role in behavioural ecology and studying cohesion of monogamous pairs is important to understand their social relationships. Here, we tested five hypotheses investigate patterns pair an obligate mammal, the Eurasian beaver, Castor fiber. We hypothesized that related spatial structure territory, territory defence, resource competition, offspring provisioning age difference between members. analysed GPS data 14 beaver calculated distance members, proportion core area overlap. While overall size was similar partners overlap high, members large, averaging 500 m, increased with increasing size. Moreover, comparatively low decreased size, also indicating cohesion. Pair were closest at beginning end nightly activity periods, suggesting variation caused by territories lodge serving as place. found no support for other hypotheses, but might nevertheless serve increase defensibility reduce intrapair competition resources. Ultimately, be mating system beavers, leading defence spatially structured rather than partner.